New Government Must Respond to Tides of Change

Yesterday on St Francis Day, Caritas
Aotearoa New Zealand published its fourth annual State of
the Environment for Oceania report, Turning the Tide.
Launched at Te Ngākau Tapu Church in Porirua, this year’s
report focuses on our changing relationship with the
ocean.

There are moments in history when events coincide
to produce an unstoppable momentum. Now is such a time. New
Zealand’s next government – of whatever hue – must
respond to these tides of change. In her presentation to
gathered tangata whenua, local dignitaries, partners and
supporters, Director Julianne Hickey commented on
Caritas’s hopes for the next Government’s stance on
environmental issues,

“For our forthcoming Government
and for their opposition we’re asking for stronger
environmental policies and frameworks that will consider the
full scope of environmental degradation and its effect,
particularly on the peoples of Oceania. We also ask that due
diligence is given to research and particularly to the
voices and the wisdom of indigenous peoples across our land
and across Te Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa.”

Mrs Hickey referred
often to the Pope’s writing on the environment, “Pope
Francis in Laudato Si’ said we need to seek other ways of
understanding the economy and progress, and the human
meaning of ecology. Both local and international policies
need to address our throwaway culture and create pathways
towards sustainable ways of living”.

Chapter three of
Turning the Tide concerns proposed offshore mining
and drilling in Oceania. Caritas Papua New Guinea partner,
Patrick Kituan, reflected on the legislative process around
this, “Where the full impacts of new environmental
activities are unknown, the precautionary principle and
protection of the environment must take priority”.

In
her speech Mrs Hickey asked, “for a moratorium on all
seabed mining because we need to ensure there is adequate
research behind environmental related decisions and informed
consent from communities prior to any activity, exploration
or otherwise”.

The report also highlighted signs of hope
such as the establishment of a new solar and wind power
project spearheaded by Caritas in partnership with: New
Zealand company, Powerhouse Wind; the Bishop Koete Rural
Training Centre, Solomon Islands; and the New Zealand
Government’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The
Rural Training Centre had previously spent a sizable
percentage of its budget on diesel for electricity. Now the
clean energy is powering the entire facility both day and
night.

Julianne Hickey also spoke about the findings of
the report as part of the Icefest Public Lecture series in
Christchurch yesterday afternoon. She said, “We have one
global ocean and we need to be conscious of ways in which
our relationship with water in Oceania may affect wildlife
in Antarctica, as well as life elsewhere”.

Caritas
Aotearoa New Zealand will join the international Caritas
delegation at the 2017 United Nations Climate Conference in
Germany, which is being chaired by Fiji. Mrs Hickey will
present the findings from Turning the Tide there and
says,

“it is an opportune time for Oceania’s voices to
be heard loudly and strongly. Representing Caritas Oceania,
we will be taking these voices from our region and we will
hold governments accountable. We will reinforce our call for
stronger action on Sustainable Development Goal 14, to
conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine
resources”.

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